| Author |
Message |
    
DeborahG
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1351
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 2:48 pm: |     |
Was in for lunch today, and they told us that June 19 will be there last day. A Japanese resaurant will be coming in to the space. |
Jason & John
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 169
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 3:00 pm: | |
That was a short stay |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 4281
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 3:17 pm: | |
That's too bad. It was OK when we tried it once, but we hoped to try again & see if it was an "off" night.
I think part of the problem is the location. You have to know you're going there (IMHO) - it's too easy to drive by that little strip, unless you get caught at a light.
If Bunnies & Reservoir were just starting out today, I wonder how they'd fare in their locations? They seem to have a long, loyal following and consistently good word of mouth. |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 412
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 4:21 pm: | |
OH NOOOOOO!!!!!
All my favorite restaurants are closing!!! What's happening??? Noooo!!! I love this place!
And why on EARTH do we need another Japanese place?
|
RBrunner
Citizen
Username: Rbrunner
Post Number: 37
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 4:55 pm: | |
I love the food there, but I think it's a little expensive for what it is. I certainly would have eaten there more often if it were a little cheaper. But that mango chicken is great. And they make an amazing lemony chicken soup that I'll really miss. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 233
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 5:40 pm: | |
Yeah, I'm saddened to hear another good restaurant is leaving. Our area clearly can't keep any restaurants in business.
Last time I brought up this topic we got into all of the minute details - parking in the village, people's dislike for Carmelitas, nail shops, expensive rents. But let's face it, Heart and Soul (LOVED by just about everyone on MOL), Taste Of Asia and Carmelitas are in very different areas with different parking and different rents.
The only unifying issue I can come up with is this... My theory is that everyone doesn't eat out as much as our household. How else can you explain all the closings? And if people don't eat out, well then how can we expect any good restaurants to ever come to our area? |
Animalcrackers
Citizen
Username: Animalcrackers
Post Number: 62
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 9:03 pm: | |
But how can we eat out with the taxes we pay? My household eats out once a month -- maybe.
We just chase our tails with this problem in the community! |
marinab
Citizen
Username: Marinab
Post Number: 103
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 9:04 pm: | |
I must admit that a lot of the restaurants around here don't blow my socks off and since I like to cook, much of the food seems like something I could do at home. And we really like to eat out. I would prefer restaurants that had more personal flair and personality, or were simply very, very good ethnic eateries for a good price. And the area certainly doesn't need another Italian restaurant ... |
blackcat
Citizen
Username: Blackcat
Post Number: 327
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 9:39 am: | |
I think Taste of Asia still has a location in Chatham on Main Street. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 503
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 10:32 am: | |
AlleyG - "Our area clearly can't keep any restaurants in business" ??
Off the top of my head, in two or three blocks of Maplewood Ave.: St. James Gate, American Fare, Jocelyne's, Cent'Anni, Village Trattoria, other pizza places, Samurai Sushi, Maple Leaf, Village Coffee, Bill & Harry's take-out, probably others. Go a little farther for Verjus & others on Springfield.
Two or three blocks of SO Ave.: Cafe Arugula, Reservoir, Gaslight (for some  ), Bunny's, Lot 15, Antonella's, Toro Loco, Papillon, Haru, Sakana, Cryan's, Niecy's (coming soon?), you could count Dancing Goat and Cait and Abby's for lunch, also take-out from Caribbean Cuisine, Heart & Soul and a couple of Chinese.
I am also sorry to see TOA go, and hoping the next owner will be more successful.
|
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 239
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 1:23 pm: | |
Wow MJC, I guess you forgot about the very good restaurants that are closing or not doing well in the area. I admit that I am prone to exaggerations but I think you are missing the point. |
pat houlahan
Citizen
Username: Imsocurious
Post Number: 7
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 5:31 pm: | |
I am sorry to see another decent restaurant closing. They came with a reputation from Montclair and Chatham but somehow didn't make it here. According to the owner, there's not enough draw to the town but to rely on the local residents of SO & Maplewood. Good or bad, their customers were limited compared with their previous location in Montclair.
As far as the Japanese restaurant replacing TOA will be managed by the owner's sister who has years of experience managing Dai-kichi Japanese Restaurant in Upper Montclair. Nope, she is not Japanese. Information of closing was given to every table when the check is presented.
People commented on Japanese restaurant with Japanese chef(s) which makes a Japanese restaurant "authentic" is their own personal preference. Japanese restaurants in the tri-state area are usually operated by non-Japanese staffs and cater to the general public which we are accustomed to. Strictly Japanese owned or Japanese chefs restaurant tends to go onto the upscale level and their flexibility in accomodating is rather limiting, in food substitute wise. That's my opinion.
Do we need a Japanese restaurant with good management and space for parties or upscale which the locals will start to compare prices. They will have to rely on the locals to give them business until SOPAC is completed which will draw out-of-towners into town. Until then, good luck to the new management. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 353
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2005 - 11:39 am: | |
I *heard* that the owner is not closing all together - I guess he plans to reopen as a Japanese restaurant (that maybe this was more to the liking of SOMa)...I wish is would turn into straight up Thai (that delivers)... |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 420
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2005 - 3:48 pm: | |
The owner's sister is opening the Japanese restaurant. Therefore, it will NOT be run by Japanese owners.
I hope it doesn't effect Sakana too badly, since I feel they have the best sushi in the area. |
pat houlahan
Citizen
Username: Imsocurious
Post Number: 10
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 9:23 am: | |
I am here to share my opinion and information I just got. The Zagat Survey book for 2005/2006 just been published and TOA is in it, receiving 22 for food, 15 for decor and 20 for service. The ratings are not bad at all but somehow they are closing in a few weeks. The Zagat book will draw from the entire state as it is quite popular for foodies. Only a few restaurants from South Orange were listed in the book. Some find the Zagat book doesn't provide correct information but I buy it every year for my own reference. To be able to be in the Zagat book for less than a year after opening, they must have a lot of influencial customers to make this happen. I suppose their loyal customers will continue to support them in Chatham.
I read an article quite awhile ago regarding taste and restaurant. The analysis of taste is broken down into sections but to cut a long story short, 90% of our taste buds agrees in general, such as sugar is sweet and salt is salty. The other 10% is based on our individuality, our preference to like and dislike apart from others. The article continues, any restaurant should be consistent with the quality and flavor of their food, good or bad. If it's good, it has to be consistently good and if it's bad, it has to be consistently bad. There are people who has different palates to support such restaurants. If the restaurant changes it's flavors every so often, let alone quality, their will lose their followers altogether.
It's sad to see TOA leaving town but there are some new additions in town, Voro and Niecy's (opening their dining room) and hope they have better luck than TOA. |
Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 118
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 7:17 pm: | |
Sorry, it just wasn't worth the price. Simple.
I was really disappointed in the menu, price and service. |
cat head
Citizen
Username: Cathead
Post Number: 39
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 - 4:53 pm: | |
doulamomma's wish for Thai (that delivers) enthusiastically seconded! 
but since we're getting another Japanese restaurant,
i hope it won't be like Haru,
which DEEP FRIES its salmon teriyaki! *sigh*  |
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